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  • Around the world in five

    Asia 

    China urged to “go global” as NAFSA cohort returns 

    Chinese higher education institutions are encouraged to increase their global presence, as a significant number of Chinese universities attended the NAFSA conference in 2023. Despite geopolitical tensions, some American and European universities remain open to collaboration with Chinese institutions. Chinese HEIs are urged to diversify their portfolio and actively engage in international exchanges and cooperation. 

     

    North America 

    U.S. denied more than a third of student visa applications in FY2022 

    The USA denied 35% of student visa applications in 2022, resulting in an estimated $26.4 billion economic loss. Factors contributing to the increase include high demand, lack of non-immigrant intent, and a shift in source markets, with India surpassing China as the top source country. 

     

    South America 

    Brazil: Affordability will be key to unleashing demand for study abroad 

    The Brazilian economy is recovering, and there is a strong demand for study abroad among Brazilians. However, students and their families are facing financial challenges, making affordability a key factor in attracting Brazilian students. Scholarships, agent support, and work opportunities will be crucial in attracting Brazilian students in the coming years. 

     

    Europe 

    UK: operational shift in diversify drive mapped 
     
    90% of UK universities are diversifying international student recruitment, with changes in application processes, multiple rounds of applications, and the introduction of scholarships to adapt to the global market. Pre-CAS interviews, deposit requirements, and agent quality frameworks are proposed to maintain high recruitment standards and mitigate risks. 

     

    Africa 

    Collaboration aims to help make Africa’s youth an asset 

    African universities unite under the Education Collaborative to transform higher education, focusing on shared curricula, student exchanges, and joint research. The goal is to make Africa's youth an asset, benefiting at least one million students by 2030. The initiative promotes leadership collaboration, incentivizing staff innovation, and embraces a dynamic approach to sustainability for transformative change. 

  • Supporting international education mobility in China with Tourism NZ and Air New Zealand collaboration

    ENZ and Tourism NZ Launch the "New Zealand Study Tour Promotion Alliance" Initiative in South China 

    Tourism New Zealand and ENZ have been working closely together since 2020 to promote study tour programs for Chinese students and their families. This collaboration has had a positive impact, with a growing interest in short-term studies and family tours to New Zealand during the Chinese summer holiday period (this July and August). To further strengthen relationships with Chinese business partners, Tourism New Zealand recently launched the "New Zealand Study Tour Promotion Alliance" initiative, with support from ENZ. 

    From left to right: Sandy He – South China Manager, TNZ; Rachel Crump – NZ Consul General in Guangzhou; Grace Yao – Regional Trade Manager Greater China; Felix Ye, ENZ Guangzhou

    The purpose of the "New Zealand Study Tour Promotion Alliance" is to tap into the potential for growth in this segment post COVID-19. The initiative offers students a short-term study tour experience, providing them with a glimpse into the New Zealand educational system and lifestyle. The alliance consists of ten selected members, including key partners such as K-12 schools and educational organisations directly or indirectly associated with K-12 schools in South China. These members include two provincial-level international education associations representing the public and international school sectors, an international school networking platform, and seven Chinese international/private schools. All ten members of the alliance have either sent students to Aotearoa New Zealand or have committed to promoting New Zealand as a study tour destination in the next three years. They will receive direct or indirect support from both Tourism New Zealand and Education New Zealand. 

    The official launch of the initiative took place on 21st June, with over 80 participants from the education and tourism industries invited. Rachel Crump, the New Zealand Consul-General in Guangzhou, officiated the ceremony and expressed her excitement about this cross-industry cooperation between Tourism New Zealand and Education New Zealand. 

    Rachel said “I have often participated in Tourism New Zealand and Education New Zealand events, but this is the first time I’ve participated in a joint event. This type of cross-industry cooperation is new and significant for both agencies.”  

    Michael Zhang, ENZ's Regional Director - Greater China, also said "As we reconnect following the three years of the pandemic, we invite Chinese students and their families, to come back to New Zealand and become an important bridge between our two countries again.”

    Felix Ye, Rachel Crump, and Grace Yao took a group photo with the members of the Alliance

    The initiative focuses on promoting a two to four-week New Zealand short-term study experience, which combines classroom study with a sightseeing holiday component. During the Chinese summer holiday, students attend one or two weeks of classroom study in a New Zealand school while their parents enjoy a holiday in the country. After the study part of the tour, families have the option to spend additional weeks in New Zealand. The initiative is expected to attract over 1,000 students plus their families to New Zealand during this July and August Chinese summer holiday period. 

    After the launch ceremony, the guests mixed and mingled, chatting and networking with each other

    ENZ and Air New Zealand to develop strategic partnership for growth of international student sector in China 

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and Air New Zealand have pledged to work together to develop a strategic partnership for the international student sector in China. 

    ENZ’s Felix Ye moderated the panel discussion with the Alliance members

    The initiative was launched with the signing of a Statement of Intent at a special ceremony in Shanghai which was witnessed by Minister of Tourism, Hon Peeni Henare in Shanghai on 30 June during the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China. 

    Both parties will seek to take advantage of existing cooperation and provide a framework for further potential areas to be developed. 

    These could include joint promotional and marketing efforts in China, as well as supporting student mobility from New Zealand-China partnerships, joint programmes, and institution to institution co-operation. 

     

    ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson and Air New Zealand’s General Manager – Asia Jonathan Zhang, sign a Statement of Intent at a special ceremony in Shanghai on 30 June during the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China.

     

  • From the CE: Keeping the focus on NZ

    Kia ora koutou, 

    It’s July and in New Zealand the middle of winter. Halfway through the year it’s a good time to reflect on how far we have come in a rapid six months. My first reflection is that it is great to have international students back in our communities, lecture theatres and classrooms. Since the borders reopened, we’ve seen good volumes of student visa applications, and those applications are reflected in steady growth in enrolments. While some parts of sector are doing better than others, the big picture is that learners are considering and choosing New Zealand as the place to come for a quality international education.  

    Having travelled to India, the US and Canada, and most recently China, alongside sector representatives, we should not underestimate how important this awareness and preference is. International education is hugely competitive. Competitors like Singapore and Ireland are not sitting still and we, collectively, need to keep New Zealand in front of the high-value students we want to attract. 

    In my opinion, the Prime Minister’s visit to China did just that. Education was a significant part of the itinerary and its importance as part of the bilateral relationship was mentioned in almost every engagement with the Government of China. The Prime Minister delivered an address at Peking University, and he had the opportunity to meet with alumni in a more informal environment. We also saw excellent coverage of the visit in key China media. China is an important partner market for New Zealand, and this was a very successful visit. A word of thanks to everyone involved in its organisation, the sector members of the delegation who travelled and everyone who participated. I know it was a mammoth task. 

    Another reflection I have is how pleasing it is to see young New Zealanders getting out into the world again as Prime Minister’s scholars. Reciprocity, as I am reminded when I am in market, is an important part of international education. Around 171 New Zealanders from 14 groups will travel to Asia and Latin America over the next year as part of the most recent Group round and the second round of individual scholarships will open next week. 

    As we look to what lies ahead, the theme of next month’s NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE KI TUA, Te Ara Ki Tua The pathway forward, will provide an immediate opportunity to focus on our future. Thanks in advance to the sector leaders who are speaking or running workshops in what looks to be a compelling programme at our 30th conference. KI TUA is our annual opportunity to get together as one and to listen, learn, discuss and importantly, network. Globally, we are a small participant and to build on the good start of the past six months we must continue to move forward together. I encourage you to attend and I look forward to meeting and talking with many of you in a few weeks. 

    Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, Ki te kapuia e kore e whati  

    Alone we can be broken. Standing together, we are invincible

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Grant McPherson

  • New Zealand education in focus during Prime Minister’s trip to China

    Education elements featured strongly in the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China helping raise the visibility of New Zealand as an education destination for Chinese students.

    To launch the trip, the delegation joined the Prime Minister at a Showcasing New Zealand event held at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing to promote New Zealand as a travel and study destination. ENZ invited key media, influencers, and Chinese and New Zealand students to interact with the Prime Minister. This sparked significant local news coverage, amongst leading Chinese state media, setting the tone for the visit and highlighting the significance of international student exchanges between New Zealand and China. New Chinese media outlets also were seen covering New Zealand education as a topic for the first time.

    Group photo at Showcasing New Zealand event! (It was a kiwi bbq)

    The Prime Minister also gave an address at Peking University to students, media, and the New Zealand delegation. To read the full speech, please visit the Beehive website.

    Peking University is host to the New Zealand Centre. Established in 2007 as a collaborative project between Peking University and the University of Auckland, the New Zealand Centre at Peking University has grown to represent all eight of New Zealand’s universities and enable high-level engagement across a range of departments and faculties. During the visit to the University on 28 June, the Prime Minister, with Hao Ping, Chair of Peking University Council and Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University, the Ambassadors of New Zealand and China, and representatives of the New Zealand Centre launched the Rewi Alley Professorship.

    There were also other several significant developments in our bilateral education links with China that were achieved while there. These included:

    • Signing of the Arrangement on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications in Higher Education between the Ministries of Education witnessed by Prime Minister Rt Hon Chris Hipkins and Premier Li.

    • Signing of a Strategic Partnership between Education New Zealand and Air New Zealand to support international education mobility and joint promotion in China. To read more, please visit the article on ENZ Collaboration with NZ Inc Agencies in China.

    • The education delegation meeting with the Vice-Minister of Education Chen Jie (responsible for international cooperation) and China Ministry of Education officials. The meeting underscored the importance of a strong government-to-government relationship and provided a chance to showcase the education sectors present within the New Zealand delegation and discuss areas of existing and potential cooperation.

    • A Sustainability Roundtable with a focus on education involving the education sector delegation and Chinese education partners.

    It was a busy, challenging, insightful and ultimately very rewarding week. The education delegates also shared their own feedback. John van der Zwan, Executive Director Schools International Education Business Association reflected that the mission to China was hugely valuable and a chance to get high level insights into working with Chinese officials and agents following the pandemic.

    “The mission was also a special opportunity to engage with the Prime Minister and other government officials on the role and importance of international education for our school sector,” he said.

    Executive Director of English New Zealand, Kim Renner, noticed the shift in how New Zealand is profiled in China compared to many years ago and echoed the response from other delegates that the visit was valuable for the representatives of the education sectors. 

    “China is a development market for most of our members, so it was a great opportunity for English language to be part of this important delegation, particularly the meetings with the Vice Minister of Education and JJL Overseas Education Agency.”

    “While seeing the country is a key part of study travel, we know that inbound students also want an immersive experience focused on people, cultural exchange and making connections. This was certainly showcased during the visit and was received very positively by all those we engaged with”,  added.

    ENZ would like to offer its sincere thanks and congratulation to everyone who was involved in the preparation and planning for the visit and gives special recognition to the education sector representatives on the Prime Minister Trade Delegation.  

  • NZ-China Tripartite Partnership Programme Update 

    First established in 2005, the NZ-China Tripartite Partnership Fund is an ENZ sponsored initiative to support the development of diverse research relationships between New Zealand and China. This Fund supports our wider goals to develop strong global connections and highlight the quality of New Zealand education and research. 

    ENZ is pleased to announce the 2023-24 New Zealand – China Tripartite Partnership Fund recipients: 

    1. “Teaching physical education for the 21st century: Building collaborative partnerships to enhance the teaching of PE in schools” Associate Professor Alan Ovens, the University of Auckland will partner with Beijing Normal University and Gannan Normal University. 
    2. “Identification of molecular biomarkers of pain in red deer” Associate Professor Kevin Lawrence, Massey University will partner with City University of Hong Kong and Qingdao Agricultural University. 
    3. “The Digitalization of School Governance: A Comparative Study of School Governance between China and New Zealand” Liuning Yang, University of Auckland will partner with Peking University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. 

    ENZ also recently caught up with the 2022 NZ-China Tripartite Fund recipients to hear how their Tripartite Partnership research projects are tracking a year on. Professor Nicholas Rowe at the University of Auckland visited their research partner in May to provide a workshop at Beijing Normal University.

    Workshop participants at Beijing Normal University

    Professor Rowe also virtually presented on their project, Teacher training for creativity and collaboration at the NZ-China Higher Education and Development Symposium 19 May at Yangzhou University.  

    The research project Professor Stephen Croucher and Associate Professor Ming Li from Massey University are working on with their Chinese partners was recently featured as a case study in a publication commissioned by New Zealand China Council. You can learn more about this Tripartite research project, “Protection of the Endangered Languages and Cultural Diversity in West China: A Case study of Miao Minority Language in Guizhou Province, China” in Collaborative Horizons.  

    Dr Shengnan Wang at the University of Auckland is currently recruiting participants for “The Project Hui: An innovative virtual exchange programme for preservice teachers in New Zealand and China.” Wang will travel to China in October to meet with research partners at Beijing Normal University to discuss publication and future collaboration opportunities. 

    The New Zealand China Tripartite Partnership Programme is experiencing a surge of activity as researchers between New Zealand and China plan and embark on travel to continue their research. 

      

  • See you tomorrow at NZIEC KI TUA 2023!

    Key information about this year’s conference: 

    • We are delighted to announce that talented entertainer, Greg Ellis will be our MC for the Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner and award-winning broadcaster, Julian Wilcox will be our MC for the conference sessions 
    • For an updated programme, please visit our website. 

    A word from some of our sponsors 

    We are very pleased to have the following sponsors onboard. Below you will hear from three of our key sponsors.  

    Youbee College of Creative Innovation 

    Yoobee College of Creative Innovation (YCCI) is a proud partner of NZIEC KI TUA. YCCI is New Zealand’s largest specialist creative and technology college – training talented animators, filmmakers, designers, technology innovators, and game developers. 

    Established over 30 years ago, YCCI is committed to educating work and world ready graduates through a range of foundation programmes, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  

    In consideration of this year’s theme ‘Te Ara Ki Tua | the pathway forward,’ YCCI highlights the importance of educating industry ready graduates that ‘create the future at the speed of culture.’ What does this mean? It’s about providing learners with the skills they need, now and in the future, to adapt to the ever-changing needs of technology and creative industries.  

    Reinforced in YCCI’s whitepaper Unleashing New Zealand’s Creative Economy, YCCI is delighted to support this year’s NZIEC KI TUA event focused on driving worldclass education and employment outcomes for international students.   

    International Development Programme and International English Language Testing System 

    Kia ora! IDP and IELTS are excited to attend and sponsor KI TUA 2023 in Ōtautahi Christchurch. 

    As a global leader in international education, IDP’s innovative use of digital technology, unparalleled live student data and global network of trusted local counsellors provide insight and ensure success for both our students and partners. 

    As co-owner of IELTS, the world’s most trusted English test, IDP help organisations attract the broadest range of high-quality applicants, and our test takers achieve their global goals. 
      
    By building on trusted relationships and actively connecting our community of students, institutions, sector bodies, and local education experts throughout the world, we play a vital role in nurturing a thriving future for higher education and help our customers turn their study or English goals into a launchpad for their career. 

    Drop by the IDP IELTS tea cart on the exhibition floor to say hello and learn more about how IDP can support your institution. We look forward to meeting and reconnecting with our partners and friends in New Zealand.  

    https://www.idp-connect.com/apac | https://ielts.co.nz 

    OrbitProtect  

    At OrbitProtect, we provide travel insurance for international students so they can focus on enjoying their travel and education, knowing that if something goes wrong, they can access the support they need.      

    With affordable and easy-to-understand plans which include excess-free cover for medical care, property cover, multilingual customer support and more – our international student insurance is designed to meet the needs of students, ensuring that they receive the necessary assistance and support during their time in New Zealand.  

    We know that international students face a unique set of challenges and considerations, such as navigating a new healthcare system, dealing with medical emergencies or unexpected events, all while tackling language barriers and being away from their support networks.       

    That’s why we’re excited to sponsor the 30th NZIEC KI TUA – Visit stall #4 to take our interactive Health & Travel quiz to be in to win a $500 Prezzy Card. For more information on our products, go to orbitprotect.com. 

    Look out for the NZIEC Ki Tua Experience Garden 

    This year’s expo hall is being transformed into something a little different than your average exhibition hall. We will be introducing you to the NZIEC KI TUA Experience Garden. In the garden, you will have the chance to engage and connect with some of our conference partners through a variety of ways! 

    • Join us for the NZIEC KI TUA Welcome Function on Wednesday 16 August brought to us by University of Canterbury,  University of Canterbury International College and Lincoln University. 
    • Join The University of Auckland at the Women in International Education networking light breakfast on our first day.  
    • Thanks to the innovative minds at Streamliner, a colossal 11x3-metre big screen will bathe the atmosphere in festival-like vibes as we celebrate three decades of groundbreaking conferences.   
    • Immerse yourself in the world of the 'Flywire live illustrators,' who will breathe life into the core conference themes and explore ‘how collaboration will shape the future of global education’.   
    • Recharge your senses at the tea cart hosted by idpconnect and IELTS  
    • Savour a bold barista coffee from Student Safe 
    • Indulge your sweet tooth at Southern Cross Travel Insurance's ice cream stand.   
    • Craving an active adventure? Embark on a virtual reality journey at the VR footprint with Yoobee College of Creative Innovation 
    • Need to make a powerful first impression? Visit Host Families Linked in headshots for a professional LinkedIn profile photo that showcases your best self.
    • Take a moment to unwind in the Kiwiflora Nurseries massage relaxation corner, where a tranquil neck and shoulder massage awaits you, just take a seat in the cozy waiting room.  Kiwiflora Nurseries are partnering with NZIEC KI TUA and the Christchurch Foundation and the Tui Corridor Project to help us in our commitment to sustainability; for every delegate registration, we will plant a native tree, fostering a greener future for generations to come. 
    • And fear not, if your mobile phone is running low on power, seek refuge beneath the grand tree where a convenient Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao mobile charging station awaits.   
    • Enter the Orbit Protect Better Health Quiz and go head-to-head with other conference delegates to earn points in gamification.  
    • Fuel your passion for sustainable development goals (SDGs) by joining Bridget from Bead and Proceed at her activation station, where you can paint a bead symbolizing the SDG you personally commit to and engage in compelling conversations with fellow attendees.   
    • Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the NZIEC KI TUA 2023 Experience Garden and unlock a world of activations and inspiration.   

    The NZIEC KI TUA 2023 Conference App brought to you by UP Education will be available for registered conference attendees to download from your friendly app store soon so keep an eye out for that update and instructions.

  • Tribute to a longtime friend of New Zealand

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) would like to share a tribute to the memory of KC Yong, Chairman of SELSET Education, Malaysia, particularly to his tremendous contribution over a lifetime to growing the education relationship between New Zealand and Malaysia. 

    KC – as he was fondly known – first connected with New Zealand as an international student studying engineering at the University of Auckland. His experience studying and living in the country left him with a deep, lifelong appreciation for New Zealand education.  

    It was likely this close connection to New Zealand that led KC to set up SELSET Education, a pioneer New Zealand specialist education consultancy in 2002. Over the past 21 years, KC’s efforts have seen SELSET grow to become the largest Malaysia-based education agency recruiting international students for New Zealand.  

    ENZ’s Regional Director – Asia, Ben Burrowes, said it was a real privilege to have known and worked with KC, who was so passionate about New Zealand education.  

    “KC and his son Rick – as well as their extended family who work for SELSET – have held close working relationships with our international education sector for decades. KC’s passing is a huge loss. I would like to personally acknowledge his immense contribution to the education relationship between New Zealand and Malaysia over the last few decades.”  

    ENZ’s Acting Market Manager – Malaysia and Indonesia, Naluri Bella, also recalls her association with KC Yong and SELSET Education.  

    “KC was a pioneer in the international education space for Malaysia and will certainly be missed. His legacy lives on in his family and team at SELSET Education.”  

  • Reminder: Step up to the World, Tū māia ki te ao, a forum on global citizenship education, 11-13 September

    Educators, those who work in education and anyone with a keen interest in growing their understanding of Global Citizenship Education (GCED) are invited to attend this free forum. The forum aims to bring individuals and organisations together to share some of the wonderful work being done in the education sector to support global citizenship for learners, while also looking at how we can collaborate and champion each other's work in the future. 

    The forum will also support participants to:  

    • Understand GCED  
    • Explore ways to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi through GCED 
    • Make links between key frameworks and strategies and the Aotearoa New Zealand context 
    • Explore the role of GCED in Asia-Pacific contexts and in international education 
    • Connect and share best practice with local and international experts and practitioners 

    You can register your interest for the event via this form here: https://forms.gle/NiBTqGxAzt9P2VrY8 

  • Exploring a vision for the ‘Future of International Education’ in Aotearoa

    It was an action-packed week in Wellington for Emeritus Professor Bean and his business partner Helen Souness. They were invited to Wellington by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) to facilitate discussions on what the future may look like for Aotearoa New Zealand’s international education sector. 

    Professor Bean is former Vice Chancellor of The Open University in the United Kingdom and RMIT University in Australia, and is now CEO of the Bean Centre. Along with his business partner Helen Souness, former CEO of RMIT Online, they partner with education experts, education providers and technology companies to shape an education future that works for the rapidly evolving needs of learners, and the evolving landscape of work they will eventually be part of.  

    On Tuesday 1 August, ENZ hosted a cross-section of representatives from our international education partners in government, industry and tertiary education institutions at a full-day workshop. The aim of the workshop was to bring together our sector and collectively explore a vision for the future of international education in Aotearoa New Zealand. This work is a key part of Focus Area 2 of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022-2030 (NZIES) and how we can diversify our educational products and services and modes of delivery to create a more sustainable and resilient future. 

    ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson opened the event and said that it was a privilege to host experts in the field of international education and have them share their knowledge and experience on what is disrupting the world of tertiary and international education globally and what other countries are doing in the face of these challenges. 

    ''I would like to thank everyone that came along with such energy and great ideas. It was a fantastic day and the collaboration between government, industry, and the education sector served to generate some inspiring ideas on how, as a country, we can innovate and differentiate our international education sector to remain competitive on the world stage.  

    ''This is especially important work given the challenges that the international education sector is facing not just in Aotearoa but also around the globe. Professor Bean and Helen Souness really inspired us to think about the future of our sector from the point of view those around us including learners, communities, and industry, in the face of these challenges’’, said Grant. 

    Professor Martin Bean and Helen Souness had this to say about the 1 August workshop.

    YouTube YouTube

    Professor Bean also said “I was delighted to participate in a week of deep thinking as we collectively imagined a brighter future for New Zealand’s international education sector. 

    “It’s clear that the world of work and tertiary education is changing rapidly and it’s great to see that colleagues in New Zealand are determined to meet the challenges and build a strategy to thrive in turbulent times”. 

    Another highlight of the day included a presentation from social innovators Hinepounamu Apanui-Barr and Briana Te Haara-Barr on the work that Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective is doing in finding indigenous solutions to global challenges. Their case study and discussion provided valuable input to the day as we then discussed Aotearoa’s unique value proposition. 

    ENZ’s Sector Engagement General Manager Wendy Kerr, whose team is leading the work involved with Focus Area 2 of the NZIES, said that in the days following the workshop, the ENZ innovation team met with our international education agency partners to reflect on the discussions and wonderful ideas that were brought to the table during the day’s workshop. 

    “It’s not often we get a chance to shape the future and this week has proved a valuable foundation for many in our sector to contribute to the course of the future of international education for Aotearoa. And what an exciting privilege that is. 

    She added, ''Now the hard work really begins, and ENZ will be leading the development of a green paper that will be the basis for consultation with our international education partners including government, education providers, industry, iwi, the wider community, and of course, our learners. Watch this space for the exciting developments to come!’’ 

     

  • Summer holiday fun for Vietnamese students at the 2023 New Zealand Future Skills Camp

    At this year’s camp, in addition to NZ EdTech Code Avengers which specialises in digital skills training, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) also worked with another NZ Ed Tech company Chasing Time English, a digital platform that enhances English language learning through exclusive short films. Three local partners were involved to help promote and deliver training sessions for the students.  

    20 teams were shortlisted for the camps which ran from Saturday 24 June to Sunday 2 July 2023. The teams could participate in a variety of online and in-person group work and interactive activities, learning coding skills together with English skills for an intercultural environment. After the camps, the teams were required to work on a coding project themed “Making a creative and impressive 'Our Future Profile' Webpage introducing your team 15-20 years from now”.

    The top eight teams with the most impressive webpages were then invited to present their products, in English, to a panel of judges on Sunday 16 July. The other teams from the 20 who were shortlisted were also invited to the Awards Ceremony held on Friday 7 July to receive certificates and announcement of the final results either in person or virtually. 

    His Excellency Mr. Scott James, New Zealand Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, attended the Awards Ceremony. In his remarks, he said “All of the students here are already winners because you have not only surpassed many contestants to come this far, but you have also taken the courage to step out of your comfort zone and embark on this adventure to learn new skills.” 

    Assoc. Prof. Minh Nguyen, Head of Department Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auckland University of Technology, was one of the judges who evaluated the teams’ webpages and then the short-listed presentations. He commented: “It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of such an inspiring event. The creativity and innovation displayed by the teams was truly impressive.” 

    Ms. Karen Kemsley, Production Manager at Chasing Time English who taught students at online sessions, said: “I had a wonderful time with the NZ Future Skills Camp students. Everyone participated enthusiastically which made the classes both fun and engaging. They took every opportunity they could to share creative opinions and ideas while demonstrating excellent English language skills. They were an absolute delight!” 

    The 1st prize winning team, together with two 2nd prize winning teams went on to represent Viet Nam at the New Zealand – Asia Code Camp Day on 5 August with other students from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand.   

    NZFSC not only provided an exciting and meaningful summer event for the participating students, but also left both students and their parents with a very positive impression of Aotearoa New Zealand as an innovative, welcoming and beautiful destination for their potential international education plans.  

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